Tag Archive | "Dark"

In this article I will show you how to prepare simple Dark Chocolate Truffles. These chocolate bites are luxuriously rich and delicious. Because truffles are prone to melting, keep these little gems cool. Recipe makes 18 servings. Here are ingredients and directions:

Line a 13 × 9-inch baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
In a food processor, combine chocolates and powdered sugar and process until chocolate is finely chopped.
In a medium saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat just until it starts to simmer. With the food processor on, pour the hot cream mixture through lid and process until the mixture is smooth. Add liqueur (if using). Scrape mixture onto pan and press down with spatula to an equal thickness. Chill 2 hours.
Working quickly, cut the chocolate into 18 equal-sized pieces. With your hands, quickly roll each piece into a ball and put it on a plate. Chill 15 minutes.
Remove the truffles from the refrigerator and quickly dredge 3 balls at a time in the cocoa powder. Place each ball in a mini-foil or paper candy liner and refrigerate in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature just before serving.

Variations:

DARK MOCHA TRUFFLES RECIPE

Keep these on hand in your freezer during the holidays and you’ll always have a quick dessert for unexpected guests. They’re especially cute when served in foil or paper candy liners. If you prefer a nonalcoholic version you may use cold brewed coffee instead of the liqueur. Makes 16 servings. Follow this simple directions:

In a food processor, process the cookies and espresso powder until the cookies are very finely ground. You will have almost 2 cups of cookie crumbs. Add the liqueur and butter and process until the mixture forms a ball or clumps. Shape the mixture into a flat disk, wrap tightly, and chill 2 hours.
Compress a tablespoon of dough into a ball, roll in the cocoa, and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Chill 1 hour. Serve in foil or paper candy liners. Store, tightly covered, for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

What Are the Differences Between Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate and Milk Chocolate?

Article by Crystal Chocolatier

All we need is love and they say that love keeps us healthy. It is known that chocolate and love have a close relation. Both chocolate and love are sweet and healthy. But the question is, are all kind of chocolate healthy? And what are the differences between milk, white and dark chocolate?

Let’s start with the different ingredients that form each type of chocolate.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans which is harvested, then ground up and liquefied to become liquor. The liquor is then processed into cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the cocoa solids that give the bitter taste of chocolate. The different combinations of the cocoa solids and cocoa butter with other ingredients give the multiple types. Dark chocolate has the highest percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter of all types. The other added ingredients are sugar and cocoa bean powder. Milk chocolate contains milk powder, sugar, and a small percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the addition of milk powder and the lowering of cocoa in milk chocolate that gives it a creamier and sweeter taste. As for white chocolate, it doesn’t contain cocoa solids at all, only sugar, milk, and also a small quantity of cocoa butter. Dark chocolate contains a minimum of 70% cocoa versus a maximum of 35% in white chocolate. Dark chocolate melts easier than white at room temperature.

What are the health benefits of each type?

Studies showed that eating dark chocolate is beneficial for the health. It contains high level of antioxidants which help eliminate toxins that can cause diseases. Dark chocolate is rich in epicatechin and Gallic acids which protect the heart from heart attacks. It also acts as an anticancer, brain stimulator, cough preventer and antidiarrheal effects. For people who are seeking to lose weight, white chocolate is the wrong choice, for its richness in calories. On the other hand, it contains a bit of calcium. It is the least nutritious of the 3 types due to the total absence of cocoa solids. As for milk chocolate, its nutritional profile is higher than white chocolate as a reason of the small presence of cocoa in it, but is still not very high to be considered as having very positive effects on the health.

We all know that chocolate, in general, is tasty, very tasty, but even the tastiest and healthiest one should be consumed wisely and in the right amount. White, milk and dark chocolate, are all bad if you abuse their intake. Eat wisely, stay healthy, you don’t want to gain weight or become addicted to them.

About the Author
Crystal Chocolatier is a chocolate factory established in 1998, providing a wide variety of unwrapped chocolate; from milk, white and dark chocolate with fillings to mixture of chocolate and dip in chocolate.

Today, Crystal Chocolatier caters for individuals through a chocolate shop in Lebanon and makes a journey around the world to give you the chance to taste our chocolate wherever you are. We distribute chocolate in UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
Our chocolate production uses real ingredients from chocolate paste to end-product chocolate. Our factory is equipped with the latest high end machinery and technologies to maintain the highest level of hygiene.

To check our wide variety of chocolate, visit our newly made website by clicking on the following link: www.crystalchocolatier.com

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.

Experts believe Madagascar cocoa to be the best in the world, and that it’s the trick behind making world class chocolate. The end result is magnificent chocolate with a rare cocoa and unique, fruity flavour. These chocolates meet the criteria of being free of genetically modified soy lecithin for which it also received a food award. Through this, we can well imagine the popularity of these Madecasse chocolates. They truly are irresistible.

After a long day at work or a hectic schedule at home, these chocolates serve perfectly to relax and let go of all the tension, simply immerse yourself in the honey coated chocolate. Because of the popularity of these chocolates the brand is continually growing in popularity. In order to know the secret of this chocolate one absolutely must take a bite of these heavenly chocolates at least once in your lifetime.

Some of us crave Michel Cluizel chocolate that is bitter and dark. We love the hard scent it hits us with and the nice snap it usually has. The best dark chocolate has the perfect high cocoa content, high fat, low sugar that is required to make a best dark chocolate. This unconventional taste needs to be developed for chocolate lovers, as they say, but once the ‘bitter chocolate bug’ bites one, it’s difficult to get rid of the addiction of these dark chocolates. On the other hand, it is also very health conscious since the first bite is usually not liked by people and thus one tends to stop eating chocolate, which is good health wise and thereby this chocolate lasts longer.

Dark chocolate is definitely worth the extra expenditure.

Good part about these chocolates is that they are hard and thus comes in beautiful styles. As you start eating it, it begins to reveal the floral, nutty and coffee notes. You can find the good old cinnamon too in some of them. However, for the starters, there are dark chocolates with a tiny bit of sugar content, with butter cream. These chocolates are hard shell when outside but as you put it into your mouth it becomes silky, smooth ad melts in your mouth like a snowflake. Now, isn’t that just pure magic?

Chocolates are a delicacy which are made all round the world, and drive men and women (mostly women) crazy. Chocolates are irresistible.. They taste like heaven, and maybe people who eat them do experience heaven. Most of them say, nothing is better than chocolate, and it means nothing is really better than chocolate! Rich, gooey drops melting in the mouth, seriously, who can resist this temptation? No wonder they say, we can sinfully get lost in the temptation of chocolates. Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Compound chocolate, raw chocolate, Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate: which is your favourite?

From all over the world, the countries which are most popular for their skill in making chocolates, which has been carried down by heritage, traditionally preserving their recipes, are America, Canada, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela and Belgium. These have the finest chocolate producers on earth, and have craftsmen who have a genius mind when it comes to making chocolates.

One can shop for chocolate by brands, by the countries they are made, by specialty items or by gift types. Chocolates also have certain flavours blended in them, the most popular flavours being those of vanilla, coffee, mint, orange, raspberry, strawberry etc. There are also fillings of nuts such as Pistachio, Cashew almonds etc, dried fruits such as raisins, hazelnuts etc. These are the most popular and favorite ones. Amongst the many brands which promise to sell Belgian chocolate, the most exquisite and sophisticated ones the best in their fields are:

The Belgian Milk chocolates have a texture like no other, and a taste so fine and delicious that you wouldn’t want to have any other milk chocolate.

The dark chocolate is often also known as Semi Sweet Chocolate. This kind of chocolate mostly finds usage in cooking. It is composed of exactly half amount of sugar and half amount of cocoa which gives it the semi sweet flavour that has. The Semi sweet chocolate is also otherwise known as Bittersweet chocolate.

For those who want added fun with chocolates, liquor chocolates are the cue. Chocolates are in themselves intoxicating and sinful. When added with liquor, chocolates become a deadly combination, only to be enjoyed with pleasure and get melted in the sensual exotic feeling.

Chocolate is one of the most cherished and loved food in the world. It is versatile, pleases everybody and is most craved food of all times. Chocolates from Belgium are one of the best, the history and tradition behind them makes them what they are today. Belgium has been producing fine dark chocolates for centuries.

History of Belgian chocolate

Chocolate, which is made from seeds of cacao tree, was first discovered in South America about 2000 years ago. The Mayans and Aztecs are believed to have made a dark frothy drink from the seeds of the tree. The explorers from Spain found out about the drink and took seeds to their country and made it popular by introducing it in the royal court. Within 100 years of this introduction, new and innovative chocolate recipes spread all across Europe. In the 17th century when Belgium was ruled by Spain, chocolate was introduced in the royal courts, In 1885, Belgium’s king Leopold 2 colonized the Congo and took advantage of the native and abused them to get supply of cocoa seeds thus getting the phrase “the history of Belgian chocolate is not so sweet.” since then Belgium has become one of the frontrunners in producing the finest luxury chocolates in the world.

Belgian Chocolates

Callebaut is a baking chocolate and it is the most common ingredient of most chocolates from Belgium. It is produced by accompany called Barry Callebaut. It is a relatively new group started in 1996. Callebaut produces very high quality baking chocolate which has a characteristic sweet and strong taste.

The cocoa used for this chocolate is acquired from Cameroon, Brazil, Ghana, Mexico and Ivory Coast.

Cafe-Tasse is characterized by two main ideas, perfect chocolate which can be enjoyed while sipping coffee, the traditional way. The taste and blend is such that you can enjoy it specially with your coffee. It has become very popular with espresso sippers.

Cote d’Or is a bar chocolate. It was started by Charles Neuhaus in 1870. The cocoa seeds for this chocolate are acquired from Ghana, earlier called the Gold coast.

Cavalier is a producer and leader of dietetic chocolates. It was founded in 1996, its main aim is to produce healthy and delicious. They want to fulfill the demands of healthier chocolates.

Dolfin chocolates were introduced by Michael and Jean Poncelet. The main characteristic of this chocolate is its authentic taste. They are produced from the sources which are original and the taste is absolutely pure and authentic. They produce bars and Neopolitan chocolates.

Galler produces the praline filled bars. They are the official Royal Warrant holder for his artistic product. They produce the best high quality chocolate made by natural ingredients. They produce chocolate tablets and bars which have been made from exotic and finest cocoa acquired from areas in between tropic and equator.

New Tree is one of the most recent additions to the already existing, traditional brands of Belgian chocolates. This company has been started by a biochemist named Benoit de Bruyn. Belgium has been producing some of the best fine chocolates, in the whole world, liquor filled chocolates, mint flavored dark chocolates, truffles and the list goes on. MyReviewsNow

The word “nonpareils” means unique and to a candy lover, they really have no match! Occasions like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween presents us with the sweet chance to have all the fascinating chocolate and candies s and nonpareils are the one to add the finishing touch to them. It is the decoration you can actually, well, eat and life just can’t get any cuter than this!

Nonpareils are used for the ornamentation of dark chocolate nonpareils and milk chocolate nonpareils, among other bakery items. This decorative confections look like perfect tiny balls and are made of starch and sugar. Nobody really knows from where they have actually originated from but are generally considered to be evolved around the pharmaceutical use of sugar.

The history Nonpareils can be traced back to the 18th century, where frosted nonpareils were introduced to be used as the toppings of wedding cakes. After that, the use of both white and colored nonpareils started to get mentioned in different recipes and cookbooks. By the early 19th century, nonpareils become exceptionally popular in the U.S. and the Europe. At that time, they were prepared manually, with multiple hot pots, hot syrup and a great deal of practice and patience, as described in the book by Eleanor Parkinson, a professional confectioner from 1844.

Eventually, people started to experiment with Nonpareils for other kind of bakery items and chocolate, was one of them. In fact, dark chocolate nonpareils and milk chocolate nonpareils are the most common food items that use Nonpareils. The chocolate industry started to invent technologies to produce different kind and combination of Nonpareils. They are sold not only on chocolate but also separately to top various bakery items.

Because dark chocolates do not contain any milk, some people may find the taste mildly bitter. Nonpareils can easily counter-act the bitterness giving it a nice combination of flavor. White or milk chocolates are also perfect for Nonpareils.

One of the most important aspects of a fancy pastry cake is the presentation. Nonpareils can do wonders in this case. From a three storied wedding cake to your kid’s cup-cake, Nonpareils can instantly change the look and taste of cakes and pastries.

Nonpareils are also used in other bakery items, for example sweet breads, fairy breads, sweet pies, all kind of cookies, brownies etc. So go ahead and add some Nonpareils to your favorite bakery item, because nothing adds more definitions and textures as gloriously as the Nonpareils.

Dark chocolate chips are small pieces of dark chocolate which are commonly sold in the market in the shape of a teardrop with a circular flat bottom. They are available in multiple sizes. They form the main content of chocolate chip cookies. These cookies have multiple flavors and forms but they were available in semisweet chocolate form only in the beginning. Some common varieties of dark chocolate chips cookies are swirled chip cookies, bittersweet cookies and semisweet cookies. The cookies made from dark chocolate are healthy and good if taken in moderate quantities everyday. Dark chocolate is considered to be very rich in antioxidants and if taken care of the calorie count cookies can prove to be a healthy snack. Dark chocolate contains a lot of cocoa solids or chocolate liquor.

Dark chocolate gift is an ideal thing to be gifted to people who are very conscious about their health but still would want to eat chocolates because they enjoy eating chocolates. A dark chocolate gift is available in the market in various forms of packaging and in multiple shapes and sizes. We can buy such chocolates in assorted forms also allowing us to pick and choose between all the available options and are reasonably priced also. Dark chocolate goodies are available in various forms like toffees, cookies, cakes and truffles in attractive gift baskets or towers and can be chosen according to one’s wish. A dark chocolate gift can form a suitable gift for all occasions for all ages. Dark chocolate is available in nut and fruit flavors also in unsweetened, bittersweet or semisweet form according to its ingredients. Dark chocolate gifts are offered by numerous companies in the market and have become quite popular in recent times owing to lesser calorie content and its other health benefits.

http://worldwidechocolate.com/gifts.html Dark chocolate squares are a variation in the appearance of chocolate varieties and form, available in the market.

They are good for a quick snack. A dark chocolate square normally has 70-75% of cocoa content in it making it all the healthier. They are available in various delectable flavors like mint, peanut or other fruit flavors. They are available in the market in low calorie or low fat versions also containing less of fat, protein and sugar. Some dark chocolate squares also contain filling of peppermint or peanut butter to make it more delicious. They are also available as an extra dark chocolate square with 80-85% cacao content. Using dry fruits like almonds and figs makes it all the more healthy and tasty. Cocoa butter is added to make the dark chocolate gift richer, creamy and smooth thereby increasing the calorie count. We can shop for all the above products online after viewing carefully the varieties and products available with a particular company and adding them to our shopping cart. We also have a provision wherein we can make our own gift hamper.

[1] Broken peanut butter cups in a chocolate heart box (photo courtesy Justin’s). [2] Chop or break up chocolate bars to create a “broken heart” (photo courtesy Hebert Candies). If your Valentine’s Day will be more doleful than joyful—or if you simply have a twisted sense of humor—express your feelings in broken-heart chocolate. … […]

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